Experts gather to investigate socio-legal issues

The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law is celebrating its centennial year by hosting two overlapping conferences from June 6-8 at Robson Hall. Scholars from around the globe will be on campus, to discuss critical socio-legal issues.

The Canadian Law and Society Association’s conference from June 6-7 for researchers will focus on co-existing legal and socio-legal norms as well as the contradictions that confront peoples, communities and the broader society.

Over the course of about 40 panels, papers will be presented on a range of issues, including Indigenous legal issues, human rights, social justice, immigration, international law, science and technology, religion and the law, and family law. The annual meeting also features a cross-disciplinary mini conference focusing on the intersections of law and disability.

The Canadian Association of Law Teachers (CALT) from June 7-8 for law teachers, graduate students and others will focus on issues related to law teaching. It will explore questions related to how law teachers and programs of legal education can promote access to justice and support ethical responsibilities around justice.

More than 70 presenters will participate in panel discussions, teaching and learning workshops, and roundtable discussions focused on this theme, including sessions related to access to legal education, intersections in teaching and technology, and sites for access to justice in the curriculum.

The associations are also hosting a joint Graduate Student Workshop and lunch, and a joint Gala Dinner on June 7.

Confirmed speakers for the meetings are leading scholars, lawyers and Indigenous leaders. Keynote speakers include Ovide Mercredi, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Jean Teillet, partner at Pape Salter Teillet LLP, founder of the Métis Nation of Ontario and founding president of the Métis Nation Lawyers Association; and Janet Mosher, associate professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and a leading expert on access to justice issues.

The CALT Conference program is available here.
The CLSA Conference program is available here.

For more information contact Kennis Fung, Event Coordinator, Faculty of Law, at 204-474-9949,

Or Jennifer Koshan at 403-220-7329,

Or Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu at 306-966-5871.